Commutator



COMMUTATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 1, 1946 I l l Jan. 2, 1951 A. H. DICKINSON COMMUTATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R55 D/Rfd'f Filed March 1, 1946 FflRW/IK DIRECT/0N 7 AH. DICKINSON ATIZORNEY Fla. 2.

Patentecl Jan. 2, 1951 COMMUTATOR Arthur H. Dickinson, Greenwich, Conn., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y a corporation of New York Application March 1, 1946, Serial No. 651,181

(01. 25tl2l) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to commutators or the like and particularly to those composed of electronic stages.

The general object of the invention is to provide a commutator or the like which has utmost flexibility of operation.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a start-stop commutator or the like having a variable start-stop cycle.

Another object is to provide an electronic startstop commutator or the like which may be selectively prepared to operate for selected, variable start-stop cycles.

Another object is to provide a start-stop commutator or the like which permits selection of the first stage to be operated during a cycle.

Another object is to provide a start-stop commutator or the like which permits selection of the last stage to be operated during a cycle.

Another object is to provide a start-stop commutator or the like which affords selection from among a number of stages of those to be operated during a cycle.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a start-stop commutator or the like operable selectively in different directions or sequences. Another object is to provide a commutator or the like composed of stages some of which may be operated in one sequence and others simultaneously operated in a reverse sequence.

Still further, an object is to provide a startstop commutator or the like having a single startstop control element and a plurality of stages operablein difierent sequences during a cycle startmg and ending under control of the single startstop element.

Moreover, it is an object of the invention to provide a commutator composed of switching elements so coupled in cascade that one of them upon being switched in status is conditioned to produce a pulse for simultaneously switching a plurality of the other switching elements in status.

More specifically, an object is to provide an electrical system composed of a group of switching circuits so coupled in cascade that one of them upon being tripped in status is enabled to produce a pulse for simultaneously tripping switching circuits ahead of and behind the first-mentioned circuit.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an electronic trigger circuit which has retroactively coupled branches, with one branch so constructed as to serve, in eiiect, as a selective pulse gate, and with the other branch constructed to serve merely as a balancing means for the first mentioned branch.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of examples, the principle *of the terminates.

invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating the commutator and related elements.

Fig. 2 is a chart showing the form of pulses utilized to operate the commutator and related elements and also indicating examples of cycles which may be performed by the commutator.

Referring to Fig. 1, plus line 5% and minus line 5! connect via a switch (not shown) to a suitable D. C. supply. Resistors 52, 53, and form a voltage divider bridging lines 50 and 5E and tapped by lines 55 and 55 at such points that line 55 is positive to line 56.

Pulses are required to control operation of the commutator. 1 A suitable main source of pulses is an oscillator of the conventional multivibrator type. The circuit of this oscillator is shown in Fig. 1 and designated M. As is known, the oscillater develops square pulses on the outputs of its two tubes A and B, those developed by tube A being 180 degrees out of phase with those developed by tube 13. The square pulses are to be difierentiated into sharp, steep wave front positive and negative pulses to be selectively amplified. Specifically, the output of tube A is coupled to line 55 by a' condenser a and resistor 16a and also coupled to line 55 by a condenser 151m and resistor item. The output of tube B is coupled to line 56 by a condenser 75b and resistor 161). Each condenser-resistor pair has an RC product so small as to differentiate the square pulses received thereby into sharp, steep wave front positive and negative pulses.

The resistor Eta is tapped by the grid of a triode 83 which has its anode connected to line 55 by a resistor 8i and its cathode connected to line 55. Since the resistor 16a and the cathode of tube 85 both connect to line 55, the normal bias of 86 is zero, under which condition this tube is quite conductive. Accordingly, the positive pulses received from lea, are fairly quenched, but the negative pulses are inverted by the tube to amplified positive pulses which are transferred by a condenser 55a to a resistor 98 The general form of the positive pulses thus produced on resistor 98a is indicated in Fig. 2, first line, and it is noted they are sharp, steep wave front pulses.

Resistor ii-Baa is tapped by the grid of a triode 84 which has its anode connected to line 5G by a resistor 85 and to line 55 by a condenser i2! and resistor F29. The cathode of 8% connects to line 55 which is positive to line 56 at which resistor 'ioaa Under this condition, the tube is normally at substantially cut-off bias. Accordingly, it substantially quenches the negative pulses received from resistor item but inverts the positive pulses to amplified negative pulses which are transf rred y condenser 521' to resistor i20- The general character phase of the negative pulses thus produced on resistor 522 are indicated in Fig. 2, second line, and it is noted that these are sharp, steep wave front pulses, 180 degrees displaced from the positive pulses produced on resistor 98o.

Resistor l'iib is tapped by the grid of a triode H8. The anode of H8 connects to line 59 via a resistor iii) and to line 55 via a condenser i223 and resistor H2. The cathode of H8 connects to line 55 which is positive with respect to line 55 at which resistor 56b terminates. Under this condition, the tube is normally at cut-oh and quenches the negative pulses received from Ebb. But the positive pulses received from 75b are inverted by tube i it into amplified negative pulses which are transferred by condenser i25 to resistor 28. The general character or" the pulses produced on resistor B26 is indicated in Fig. 2, third line, and it is noted that they are 180 degrees out of phase with the negative pulses produced on resistor iii].

The pulses produced on resistors 98a, 129, and 526 are utilized to control the commutator and related circuits. The commutator has a number of stages equal to the number of steps through which it is to progress during a maximum cycle. Means are provided to operate the commutator through a selectively fewer number or" steps performed during a correspondingly shorter cycle. Further, means are provided to operate the commutator in either of opposite directions or, if desired, to operate it simultaneously in opposite directions.

ihe commutator exemplified in Fig. 1 has four stages to provide for a maximum of four steps during the maximum cycle. These stages are designated C5,, C3, C2, and CI. The commutator also provides a start-stop control circuit designated T. Two circuits SA and SAX are provided to control the directions of operation of the commutator and the length of the cycle. Each of these several circuits is an electronic trigger circuit which has alternative states of stability. Circuits SA, SAX, and T are like trigger circuits of the hind disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 651,180, filed March 1, 1946 now Patent No. 2,517,986 dated August 8, 1950. Circuits C5, C3, C2, and Ci are alike and resemble the other trigger circuits in some respects but differ from them in. other respects. To aid in identifying the similarities among the various circuits, corresponding parts of all circuits will be given the same reference characters.

The trigger circuit of the kind used for SA, SAX, and T will be described first. This trigger circuit may be referred to as the type 1 trigger circuit to distinguish it from the other trigger circuit which may be called the type 2 trigger circuit. The construction of the type i trigger cir cuit will be explained with particular reference to circuit SA to which a full set of reference characters has been applied in Fig. l.

The type i. trigger circuit has two parallel and symmetrical impedance networks or branches. The left hand branch includes resistors 6902, bid, and s- -es between lines 553 and 56, and a condenser 53a shunting resistor filo. The right hand branch includes a similar arrangement of resistors 6th, and i321) and condenser 832). A pair or" pentodes 95a and 95?) are connected, with their anode-cathode circuit paths in parallel, between lines and Simply for convenience, the pentcdes are shown as sections of a duplex tube having a common cathode. The anodes, of

a and 95b connect via resistors Hlila and Hlflb, respectively, to line 513, and the common cathode connects to line as through a resistor 56. It may mentioned now that the resistor 96 is of such value that when either 9511 or 95b is conductive, the potential drop across the resistor 96 is substantially equal to the maximum potential drop which may exist across either resistor 82a or 621). The screen grid (hereinafter called screen) of 95a is connected to the junction 66a of resistors a, while the screen of 55b is connected to the junction 66b of resistors 66b and Gib. The control rid (hereinafter called grid) of 95a is conn cted to the junction 87b of resistors 8 lb and while the grid of 952) is connected to junction point Lila of resistors fifia and 62a.

The similarly numbered parts of the two branches of each trigger circuit have equal values. In practice, it has been found desirable to use resistors 52a, 6%, and 5212, each of which has about onethird the resistance of each of the resistors 6 5a and 35b. Condensers 83a and 531) each have a capacity in the order of a few micro microiarads.

It wilbe noted that the screen-cathode path of the pentode 95a is in shunt with the resistors did and 52a and, therefore, may be considered as 1 rtion of the left hand impedance branch of the tri er circuit. Similarly, the screen-cathof "b may be considered a portion of the right hand impedance branch. It will be noted, further, that the two impedance branches of the trigge circuit are cross-coupled since point of the left hand branch connects to the grid of branch is connected to the grid of tube 95a.

The trigger circuit described above has two; alternative states of stability. In one state, which may be cal ed the ofi state, pentode @522 is at substantially zero grid bias and has large screencathode current flow while the grid bias of pentode 35a is negative and its screen-cathode path is at cut-obi, Also, in the off state, points 68a and @iib are at high potentials while points filo and and 5Tb are at low potentials. In the alternative state, which may be called the on state, the electrical conditions are reversed. The circuit is self- I sustaining in either of its two alternative states,

of $52) is not much higher in potential than the:

cathode, and the point 551), to which the screen is connected, is at like low potential. With resistors bib and 52b correctly chosen, the potential dropacross 551) forces the potential of point 671) substantially below cathode potential. Since the grid of 5550. is connected to point 611), it is also negative with respect to the cathode and suinciently so to block screen-cathode current in a.

In other words, the screen-cathode path of 95a. is at cut-off, and its impedance is high compared to that of resistor 66a. Hence, the screen of 95a and the point @Ea connected to this screen are at high potential such that the potential drop across resistor 5 i a does not force point 61a below cathode potential. As the grid of 952) is connected to point Eia, the grid bias of 952) is then substa'n-- u'oe Siib while point 51b of the right hand tially zero, thus maintaining the screen-cathode path of 95b at low impedance.

'In the foregoing manner, the trigger circuit when in off state has a distribution of potential such as to sustain the circuit in this state. Similarly, since the branches are symmetrical, the circuit is self-sustaining in its on state in which pentode 95a is at substantially zero grid bias and has large screen-cathode current flow, and in which points 66a and 61a are at low potentials, while pentode 95b is at negative grid bias, its screen-cathode path is at cut-off, and points 6617 and 611) are at high potentials.

The trigger circuit may be reversed in status in'response to a tripping pulse applied to a suitable point. Thus, it is reversible from off to on state either in response to a negative pulse applied to point 61a or a positive pulse applied to point 611). It is reversible from on to off state in reponse to a negative pulse applied to point 61b or a positive pulse applied to point 61a. Assume, for instance, that the trigger circuit SA is in on: status and a negative pulse is applied via a condenser to point 61a. This pulse reduces the potential difference across resistor 62a. In other words, the potential of point 61a, and the connected grid of 951), drops from its previous approximate cathode level to a negative value with respect to the cathode. Consequently, current flow through the screen-cathode path of 95b decreases, there is a diminished voltage drop across resistor b, and point 661) suddenly rises in potential. The positive pulse thereby produced at point 662) is transferred by condenser 63b to the grid of 95a, effecting a sudden lowering of itspreviously negative grid bias. Accordingly, the current flow in the screen-cathode path of 95a increases, there is'a larger voltage drop across the resistor Gila, and point 66a decreases suddenly in potential. The

negative pulse thereby produced at point 65a is transferred by condenser 63a to the grid of 951), promoting its increase in negative bias and the consequent reduction in its screen-cathode current flow. The interaction between the two branches of the trigger circuit continues until ultimately the screen-cathode path of 95b is at cut-off while that of 95a. has large current flow. In short, the trigger circuit has been tripped from off to on state in which points 66a and 610. are at low potentials and points 86b and 611) at high potentials and in which pentode 95a is at substantially zero grid bias and its screen-cathode path is at low impedance, while 951) is at negative grid bias and its screen-cathode path is at outoff. In a similar manner, the trigger circuit may be switched from the on state to the off state in response to a negative pulse applied to point 61b.

Instead of tripping the trigger circuit by a negative pulse applied to point 61a or 6717, it may be tripped by a positive pulse applied to such point. It is evident that the positive pulse will have the opposite effect of a negative pulse applied to the same point. Thus, a positive pulse applied to point 61b will reverse the trigger circuit from off to on state while a negative pulse applied to point 6Tb will be effective to reverse the circuit from on to off state. Assume, for instance, that a positive pulse is applied to point 61b while the circuit is in off state. Such pulse increases the potential difference across resistor 62b; that is, the potential at point tl'b rises, so that the negative grid bias of tube 95a is reduced. Accordingly, current starts to flow in the screen-cathode pathof 95a, with a consequent sudden. drop in potential of point 660.. i The? negative pulse thereby produced 6. at point 66a is transferred by condenser 63a. to the grid of 95b, whereby the screen-cathode impedance of 9519 is increased. Thereupon, point 56?) rises in potential and a positive pulse is trans ferred via condenser 63b to the grid of 95a, promoting the decrease in the negative grid bias which was initiated by the positive pulse applied to point 67a. In a manner now understood, the interactions between the branches of the circuit continues so as to bring the circuit to its stable on state. Similarly, the circuit may be tripped from on to off state by a positive pulse impressed on its point 61a.

It should be noted that in order to effect good tripping action, the tripping pulses should be steep and shorter in duration than the pulses passed through condensers 63a and 63b in the course of the tripping action.

It is a fact with respect to a pentode that if its suppressor is sufficiently negative with respect to the cathode, it blocks anode-cathode current flow regardless of the grid potential, and if thesuppressor is raised in potential substantially to cathode potential, then current flow in the anode-' cathode path depends on the grid bias. If the grid bias is at cut-01f, an increase in suppressor potential will have no efiect and the anodecathode path of the pentode will remain at cutoff, but if the grid bias is substantially zero and the suppressor is brought to about cathode potential, there will be current flow in the anode-cathode path of the pentode. If the suppressor bias is normally negative, the pentode when at zero grid bias will have no anode-cathode current flow until the suppressor bias is reduced to substantially zero. Thus, a positive pulse applied to the suppressor of the pentode at zero gridbias will produce a pulse of current flow in the anodecathode path and a negative pulse will appear upon the anode. On the other hand, if the suppressor bias is normally zero in the pentode at zero grid bias, there will be continuous current flow in the anode-cathode path until a negative pulse is applied to the suppressor to increase its bias to cut-oil; Thereupon, current flow in the tive pulse appears on the anode of the pentode.

In the on state of the trigger circuit, only thepentode a is conditioned by zero grid bias to respond to variations in potential of the suppressor. Thus, if the suppressor bias is normally zero, 95a will invert negative pulses upon its suppressor to positive pulses upon its anode. But if the suppressor bias is normally at cut-off, 95a will invert positive pulses upon its suppressor to negative pulses upon its anode, In the off state of the trigger circuit, it is the pentode 951) which is conditioned to function in the foregoing manner.

The type 1 trigger circuit, exemplified by SA,

SAX, and T has been described. The type 2 trigger" circuit exemplified by the commutator stages C4, C3, C2, and Cl will now be explained.

The type 2 trigger circuit has features in com-' mon with the type 1 trigger circuit. Briefly, the

the type 2 circuit uses a triode 64b in place of the pentode 95b of the type 1 trigger circuit.* The anode of 64b is connected to point 662) hence, the anode-cathode path of 64b serves as a portion of the impedance of the right hand branch. It'will be noted that the tube 64b will not serve as a gate Thus, the type 2 trigger circuit pro-'--" for pulses.

videsonly one possible gate, pentode 95a for pulses and this gate will be open when the trigger circuit is in on status. The right hand branch of this trigger circuit acts merely to balance the left hand branch. The manner in which this type of trigger circuit is triggerable to self-sustained, alternative OE and on states is similar to the manner in which the type 1 trigger circuit is triggeredand need not be explained in detail. It is understood, now, that a negative pulse appliedto point 67a of the type 2 trigger circuit is capable of tripping it from off to on status while a negative pulse applied to point 87b is capable of tripping it from on to off status.

The commutator may be operated ina forward direction or a reverse direction or simultaneously in both directions during a cycle. Further, the cycle may be varied in size; i. e., composed of a variable number of steps. In other words, the number of stages operated during a cycle may be varied. Still further, the cycle may start with any of the stages and stop with any of the stages; i. e., the last and first stages to be operated during a cycle may be selectively determined. If simultaneous operation in both directions is to be effected during a cycle, the first and last stages to be operated in each direction may be selectively chosen. To aiford such flexibility in operation of the commutator, several sets of plug sockets are provided. The set of sockets F is plugged according to which of the stages is to be the first operated stage in a forward direction. Thus, if Fe is plugged to F3, the stage C3 will be the first one operated in the forward direction. Sockets R are plugged to choose the first stage to be operated in the reverse direction. Sockets FT are plugged according to which stage is to be the last one operated in the forward direction. Sockets RT similarly determine which stage is to be the last one operated in the reverse direction. There are sockets FP between each pair of adjacent stages which are plugged together when the stage at the left (as viewed in Fig. 1) is to control the stage at the right. Other sockets RP between adjacent stages are plugged together when the stage at the right is to control the stage at the left. For reference purposes, the forward direction is the one in which the stages operate sequentially from left to right (as viewed in Fig. 1), and the reverse direction is the one in which stages operate from right to left in succession. For example, the forward sequence in a maximum length cycle of four steps of the illustrated commutator embraces the successive operation of stages C4, C3, C2, and CI.

As explained above, sockets FT or RT are plugged according to which of the stages is to be the last operated one in the forward or reverse direction. The socket F-Tc is connected by a resistor I32 to the grid of a pentode I3I and the socketRTc by a resistor M2 to the grid of a pentode MI. The anodes of I35 and MI are connected to line 56 by resistors I35 and I45, respectively. Their cathodes connect to line 55. Their screen grids are maintained at constant potential, the screen of ISI being connected to the line 5% by a resistor I and to line 56 by a condenser I34, and the screen of MI being connected to line 58 by similar resistor Hi5 and condenser I46.

The suppressors of iSI and MI are tied to a common wire E22 which taps the resistor I22) on which negative pulses (Fig. 2, line 2) are continually produced, as already described. Since resistor i283 and the cathodes of IS! and It! connect to line 55;, thesuppressor bias of I3! and MI is normally zero. Hence, normally, anode-cathode current will flow in i3I and MI when their control grid bias is zero, but upon the transmission of a negative pulse from resistor Iii} to the suppressor of the pentode i3I or I II. at zero grid bias, current flow will be interrupted and a positive pulse will be developed by the pentode upon its anode. The control grid of I31 is adapted to be plugged via socket FTc and a selected one of the sockets FT I, 3, 2, and I to the point 671) of the similarly numbered commutator stage. When a stage is in off status, its point uib is below cathode potential and, hence, the control grid, of i3I, which has been plugged to the stage is then at negative bias, blocking anode-cathode current flow regardless of the suppressor potential. But if the plugged-in stage is in on status, its point filo is at substantially cathode potential; as is the control grid of [3A. The pentode [3i is then in condition to invert a negative pulse upon its suppressor to a positive pulse upon its anode. Similarly, if the control grid of the pentode MI has been plugged, via sockets RT to point 57b of a stage, this pentode will be conditioned by the stage, when in on status, to develop a positive pulse in response to a negative pulse on its suppressor.

'l'he several possible operations of the commu-.

tator will now be described.

Assume that the commutator is to be operated in the rorward direction through its maximum of four steps. To prepare for this type of operation, socket Fe is plugged to socket F4, socket FT is plugged to socket FTI, and each pair of sockets F? is connected by a plugwire (not shown). Further, both circuits SA and SAX are tripped on under control of pulses applied to the circuits simultaneously from a suitable source (not shown). Assuming a negative pulse is to be used as the tripping pulse for circuits SA and SAX, such pulse is applied from the source (not shown) via condensers a to points Bio. of both circuits, turning them on. The pentodes 95a in SA and SAX are now conditioned to develop negative pulses in response to positive pulses applied to their suppressors.

To start commutator cycle, the start-stop control circuit T is switched to on state by a positive pulse applied to its point 67b. The positive pulse is supplied by a condenser Iii. The condenser is connected at one side to the line 56 and at the opposite side to the blade of a hand switch IIE. One terminal of switch H6 connects to the junction of a pair of resistors H9 and III across lines 56 and iii. The other terminal of switch H6 connects to a wire I60 which leads to point 671) of circuit T. Prior to placing the commutator in operation, the switch I I5 is in the position shown, whereby condenser H1 is charged to the potential across resistor i I I. To

initiate commutator operation, the operator re-' verses switch H6, connecting condenser II? to wire I69. The condenser thereupon discharges a sharp positive pulse upon the wire I-aii which transmits the pulse to point 61b of circuit T, turning it on. This action occurs at the chance time chosen by the operator to reverse the switch H6. With T now on, its pentode a is conditioncd by zero grid bias to respond to variations in its suppressor potential. The suppressor of 950. (T) is connected by a wire I24 to an intermediate point of resistor I25. The resistor I25 terminates at line 55 which has a potential substantially equal to the cathode potential. of vthe tubes in the trigger circuits. Accordingly, the

normal suppressor bias of 95a (T) is substan tially zero and since it is now also at zero control grid bias, current flows in its anode cathode path. As explained before, negative pulses (see Fig. 2, line 3) are continually produced on resistor I26. The first negative pulse transmitted from resistor I26 by wire I24 to the suppressor of 95a (T) after T has been turned on is therefore inverted by 950. to a positive pulse upon its anode. This positive pulse is transmitted via a condenser I21 and resistor I28 to the suppressors of 95a and 95b of SA. Since SA is on, its pentode 95a is at zero grid bias and inverts the positive pulse upon its suppressor to a negative pulse upon its anode. This negative pulse is transmitted via a condenser a to plug socket Fc, thence by plugwire (not shown) to chosen socket F4, and from there to point 61a of the commutator stage C4. As explained before, a negative pulse applied. to the point 610. of a trigger circuit turns it on; hence C4 is turned on by the negative pulse received from the output of 95a of SA. Reference to Fig. 2, part b, shows that after T has been tripped on, the following negative pulse upon the resistor I26 brings about the chain of operations, described above, to cause the stage C4 to be turned on, such action being indicated in Fig. 2 by the rise in potential of the point 651) of the stage.

The suppressors of the pentodes 95a of all the stages are tied to a common wire I23 which taps the resistor 98a. Since 98a terminates at line 56 which is substantially below cathode potential of the pentodes 950., the suppressor bias of these pentodes in the stages is normally at cut-off. Positive pulses (see Fig. 2, line 2) are continually produced on resistor 98a, as previously explained. These positive pulses are transmitted concurrently to the suppressors of pentode 95a of the stages but only the pentode of the stage in on status is conditioned to respond to the pulse. Hence, after C4 has been turned on, the following positive pulse, from resistor 98a, upon the suppressor of its pentode 95a is inverted to a negative pulse upon its anode. This negative pulse is transmitted via the plugged sockets FP between C4 and C3 to point 61a of C3, turning it on. Thus, the first positive pulse received from resistor 98a by C4 after turning on is effective to cause C3 to be turned on, as indicated in Fig. 2, part 1). Similarly, with C3 on, it responds to the next pulse from 980. to switch C2 on, and then C2, in turn, responds to a following such pulse to switch CI on. Thus, C4, C3, C2, and CI are turned on sequentially, in the forward direction, at intervals of the pulses on resistors I26 and 98a.

The point 611) of CI has been connected through plugging includin FTc and F'II to the control grid of pentode I3I. With CI now on, its point 611) and the control rid of I3I are at cathode potential. Accordingly, I3I develops a positive pulse'upon its anode in response to the first negative pulse received by its suppressor from resistor I20 after CI has been switched on. This positive pulse is transferred by a condenser I31 to a resistor I38 which terminates at line 56. Resistor I38 is tapped by a wire leading to the suppressor of 95a of SAX. Since resistor 38 terminates at line 56, which is negative to the cathode of 95a (SAX), the normal suppressor bias of 95a (SAX) is sufliciently negative to block anode-cathode circuit flow even when its control grid bias is zero. But the positive pulse received by the Suppressor of 95a (SAX) from resistor I33 increases its potential above the critical value. Since SAX is in on status, 954: is also at zero con- 10 trol grid bias; hence, it is efiective to invert the positive pulse upon its suppressor to a negative pulse upon its anode. This negative pulse is fed via a condenser 19 and the Wire I60 to point 612) of start-stop control circuit T, thereby switching T to oil state. It may be noted from Fig. 2 that the first negative pulse received by tube I3I after CI has been turned on brings about the offswitchin of circuit T.

With T now in off state, its pentode 95b is conditioned to respond to a pulse on its suppressor.

, The suppressor of 951) (T) is connected to wire I 23 which is receiving positive pulses from the resistor 98a. The positive pulses transmitted to the suppressor of tube 9% of T, now in off state, are inverted by the tube to negative pulses upon the anode. These negative pulses are transmitted to a wire IBI which is connected by parallel condensers b to points 6112 of all the commutator stages. Hence, the first negative pulse produced by T after it has been turned off is efiective, upon its application to the points 611) of the stages, to turn them off concurrently, terminating the cycle (see Fig. 2, part 1)). Such negative pulses continue to be produced by T and tend to aiiirm the off states of the stages until T is again turned on. This can be done only by bringing the switch I It back to the shown position and allowing condenser I H to be re-charged, and then reversing the position of the switch again.

The maximum length cycle in the forward direction has been explained. SA and SAX Were both on. Operation was initiated by turning on T. A negative pulse from resistor I26 was then inverted by T to a positive pulse which was transmitted to SA. In response to the positive pulse; SA produced a negative pulse which was transmitted through a connection including a plugwire between Fe and F4 to point 61b of C4, turning it on. It is clear that if Fe were plugged to F3, the negative pulse from SA would be transmitted to point 61b of C3. The commutator cycle proper would thus start with the tripping on of C3 and C4 would remain idle, as indicated in Fig. 2, part c. If Fc were plugged to F2, the negative pulse from SA would be transmitted to point S'Ib of C2, turning it on, after which CI would be switched on. C4 and C3 would remain idle, If Fc were plugged to Fl, only CI would be turned on and C4,. C3, and CI would remain idle.

After the first chosen stage was turned on, it brought about the sequential turning on of the followin stages in the forward direction. The last stage to be turned on is determined by the plugging between FTc and the chosen socket FT4, 3, Z, or I. If FTc is plug ed to FTI, CI is the last-operated stage, as in the 4-step cycle (Fig. 2, part b) and the 3-step cycle indicated in Fig. 2, part c. If FTc were plugged to FT2 and F plugged to F4, then the 3-step cycle indicated in Fig. 2, part 12 would be performed. If FTc were plugged to FTI and F to F2, a 2-step cycle of C2 and CI would be performed. Likewise, by proper plugging, a 2-step cycle of C4 and C3 or C2 or Cl, or of C3 and C2 or CI may be effected. Fig. 2, part c indicates, as an example, a 2-step cycle of C3 and CI. The plugging for this is from F0 to F3, from FTc to FTI, and from the FP socket associated with C3 to the socket FP associated with CI. If Pro and Fe were plugged to the same-numbered sockets FT and F, a 1-step cycle would be performed. Thus, a 1-step cycle of C4, C3, C2, or Cl may be effected.

It will be noted that the stages will be in on 5 state during such cycles for different increments aster-air:

ll of time depending on the plugging, Operations in the forward direction for various extents and of various stages have been described above. The operations in the reverse direction will now be explained. For this type of operation, SA and SAX are tripped off, as by a negative pulse from a suitable source (not shown) applied viaa pair of b condensers to points 57b of SA and SAX. Further, the plugwires between sockets F and between sockets FT, and also between the sockets F? of each pair, are removed. Instead, plugwires are connected between the sockets RP of each pair, a plugwire is connected between socket Re and a selected one of the sockets R9, 2, 3, and i, and a plugwire is connected between socket RTc and a chosen one of the sockets RTE, S, 2, and l The operation of the commutator is again initiated by reversing switch i It, whereby a positive pulse is discharged by condenser Il'l upon point 61a of T, turning it on. As before, 95a (T) then inverts a negative pulse from resistor I25 to a positive pulse which is transmitted by condenser l2'l to resistor I28 and thence to the suppressors of both pentodes 95a and 95b of SA. Since SA now is off, only 951) (SA) is conditioned to invert the positive pulse on its suppressor to a negative pulse. This negative pulse is fed a condenser a to socket R and thence by plugwire (not shown) to the chosen one of the sockets RI, 2, 3 and 4. From the chosen, numbered R socket, the negative pulse is fed to point 61a, of the correspondingly numbered commutator stage, turning on this stage. The on stage is then conditioned to invert a positive pulse from resistor 98a (and wire I23) to a negative pulse The negative pulse is fed via the plugwire (not shown) between the RP sockets intermediate the on stage and the next stage in the reverse direction (to the left of the on stage), turning on such next stage. For example, if He is plugged to El, the stage CI is turned on first and develops a negative pulse, in response to a positive pulse from wire I23. The negative pulse is transmitted, via a plugwire between the sockets RP to the left of stage Cl, to the point 51 a of stage C2, turning it on. Similarly, C2 may develop a negative pulse which results in the turning on of C3, and C3 may then develop a negative pulse for turning on C4.

The reverse cycle may terminate under control of any of the chosen stages. For instance, if C4 is the last stage to be turned on in the reverse direction, then socket RTc is plugged tosocket RT4. Hence, when C4 goes on, the increased potential of its point 611) is transferred via the plugged sockets RT! and RTc and the resistor I42 to the control grid of pentode 14!. This pentode thenis effective to invert a negative pulse, transmitted to its suppressor from resistor I20 by wire I22, to a positive pulse. The positive pulse is fed via a condenser l 41 to the resistor MB and thence to the suppressor of 95?) of SAX. Since SAX is off, 95b is in condition to invert the positive pulse on its suppressor to a negative pulse. This negative pulse is communicated by a condenser 12 and wire I69 to the point 67b of T, turning it off. As before, the circuit T again in 01f state causes all the on stages to be turned oif. It will be clear that if C3 were the last stage to be turned on in its reverse direction, then socket R'Ic would be plugged to socket RT3, and if C2 were the last one chosen for operation, socket RTc would be plugged to socket RT2. If Cl were chosen as the first and last stage to operate in the reverse direction,

12 then RTc would be'plugged to RT! and Re 'toal. It is evident that the stage plugged to socket R'lc will be eifective, upon being turned on, to condition pentode Ml to develo the positive pulse which is inverted by SAX to the negative pulse for turning off T, as a result of which the cycle terminates. Fig. 2, parts bb, cc, old, and ee show different cycles which may be performed in thehave been described. The arrangement also pro-- vides for operation in both directions of stages of the commutator during a cycle. Assume, for example, that the stage C2 is tooperate and then the stages Cl and C3 are to operate simultaneously. To prepare for this mode of operation,

control circuits SA and SAX are tripped on, a'

plugwire is connected between sockets F0 and F2, the socket FTc is plugged either to FT! or RT3, the sockets FP between C2 and Cl are connected by a plugwire, and the sockets RP between C2 and C3 are similarly connected.

Operation is initiated, as before, by reversing switch lit to enable condenser II? to emit a positive pulse for turning on start-stop control circuit T. A negative pulse from resistor I26 (and line We) is inverted by T to a positive pulse which is transferred by condenser 12! and a portion of res1stor F28 to the suppressor of a of SA. Since SA is on, its pentode 95a'is efiective to invert the positive pulse to a negative pulse which is applied via condenser a and the plug-I wire (not shown) between sockets Fe and F2 to point B'la of C2, turning it on (see Fig. 2, part 1). C2 is then effective to invert a positive pulse from resistor 98a (and line #23) to a negative pulse. This negative pulse is transmitted via the plugged sockets FP between C2 and Cl and also via the plugged sockets RP between C2 and CI simultaneously to Cl and C3, turning them both on (see Fig. 2, part 1). If RT3 has been plugged to FTc, then the rise in potential of point 57bof C3 will be transr-erred to the control of pentode 13-1, but if FTl has been plugged to FTc, the rise in potential of point 67b of Cl will be transferred to the control grid-of I31. In either case, pentode l3i is conditioned to invert a negative pulse fromresistor 126 (and line 122) to a positive pulse.-

This pulse is transferred by condenser 13? and a portion of resistor I38 to the suppressor of 95a of SAX" Since SAX is on, its pentode 95a is effective to i-nvert the positive pulse to a negative pulse. The negative pulse is fed via condenser E) and wire 169 to point bib of T, turning it ofi. With T off, it is effective to invert a positive pulse from resistor 98a to a negative pulse which is applied via parallel condensers b to points 671) of all the stages, turning ofi the .on stages C2, Cl

and C3 (see Fig. 2, part 1).

It will be appreciated that a similar mode of operation maybe .efiected with respect to stages C3, C2 andCl; C3 will be turned on first and then will cause simultaneous tripping of C2 and C4 to on state. It will also be appreciated that another- Assumacfor instance, that O l-is to operate after C3, in the reverse directlon,'and'C2 and Cl are :a plugwire, the pair of sockets FP between C3 and C2 is connected, and also the pair of sockets FP between C2 and Cl is connected. The circuit T is turned on. as before. It then inverts a negative pulse from resistor I26 to a positive pulse which is transferred, as previously described, to SA. A resulting negative pulse is emitted by SA through the path including the plugged sockets Fe and F3 to point 61a of C3, turning it on (see Fig. 2, part g) C3 then is effective, in response to a positive pulse from resistor 93a, to produce a negative pulse which is applied via the plugged sockets RP between C3 and C4 to point 61a of C4, turning it on. The negative pulse emitted by C3 is simultaneously applied via the plugged sockets FP between C3 and C2 to point 610. of C2, turning it on (Fig. 2, part a). C2 is now effective to invert a positive pulse from resistor 98a to a negative pulse which is transmitted via the plugged socks FP between C2 and Cl to point 61a of Cl, turning it on. Since point t'lb of Cl has been connected to the grid of tube it! by the plugging between sockets FTl and FTC, the turning on of Cl initiates the operations, previously explained, for terminating the cycle.

A third mode of operation may be effected during which C3 and C will operate in the reverse direction and C2 and Cl in the forward direction. For this mode of operation, SA and SAX may be left on, the socket Fc may be connected by a double plugwire to sockets F2 and R3 and socket FTc may be connected by a plugwire either to socket FTI or RTG. Further, the sockets FP between C2 and Cl will be plugged together, and also the sockets RP between C3 and C4 will be plugged together. Operation will be initiated as before, whereby a negative pulse produced by SA will be applied via sockets F and to point We of C2 and via sockets F and R3 to point Bla of C3. C2 and C3 will turn on simultaneously. 02 will then cause CI to turn on and C3 will cause C4 to turn on at the same time. Assuming FTI is plugged to FTC, the on switching of Cl will cause the cycle to terminate.

Attention is called to the fact that the two parallel sets of sockets Fl to F4 and Rl to R4 and also the two parallel sets of sockets FTI to l and RTi to 4 are provided to aid the operator in making the correct plug connections for the desired types of operation. If not for this consideration, one of the sets of sockets in each parallel pair of sets could be omitted. For instance, sockets Rl to 4 and RTl to 4 may be omitted. Sockets Fl to t may then be plugged either to Fe or Be and sockets FTI to 4 may be plugged either to FTc or RTc. It will also be appreciated that other means than the trigger circuits SA and SAX may be utilized to produce the negative pulses at the proper times for turning on the first chosen stage or stages and for controlling the termination of the cycle.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention, as applied to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit of the inverbtion. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the'following' claims.

What is claimed is: I i

1. An electrical system comprising a plurality of electronic trigger stages, each having alternative on and ofi states between which it may be tripped by the application thereto of tripping voltage pulses, means so coupling the stages that each stage upon being tripped on controls the application of a tripping pulse to a next stage'for on-tripping, whereby the stages may be sequentially tripped to on state, pulsing means acting through the stages for producing such sequential on-tripping of the stages, means coupled to all of the stages and controlled by a last stage upon its being tripped on for applying pulses to. the stages to trip off concurrently the sequentially trippedon stages, and selective coupling between the last mentioned means and one or another of the stages, so as to select the last stage to be tripped on. 1

2. An electrical system comprising a plurality of electronic trigger devices, each having alter.- native on and off states between which it may be tripped by the application thereto of tripping voltage pulses, pulsing means for applying. tripping pulses to said devices, means so coupling the devices that each upon being tripped oncom trols the application of a tripping pulse toa next device to be tripped on, whereby a sequence of on states may be produced in a.' succession of the devices, starting means to start the sequence by controlling the application of a tripping pulse to a first device to trip it on, and, means selectively coupling one or another of the devices to the starting means to serve as the first device.

3. An electrical system comprising a plurality of pulse gates, each having an open condition to pass an applied pulse and an alternative, closed condition in which it is ineffective to pass a pulse, coupling means for the pulse gates reacting to a pulse passed by each gate, when open, to produce the open condition of a next gate until a last gate has been opened, and circuit means connected to all of said gates and reacting to the pulse passed by this last open gate for concurrently closing all the gates.

4. An electrical system such. as defined in claim 3, said coupling means including selective connections for variably coupling the gates to be sequentially opened in one sequential order or in a different sequential order.

5. An electrical system comprising a plurality of electronic trigger circuits having alternative on and off states, each circuit embracing a pulse gate comprising a space current path open in the on state of the circuit to pass an applied pulse and closed in the off state to block an applied pulse, means coupling the circuits so as to transmit the effect of a pulse passed by the gate, when open, of a first circuit in on state to a next circuit to trip this next circuit to on state and open its gate to enable a similar efiect to be produced on another of the circuits, and pulsing means connected to all of said trigger circuits and reacting to a pulse passed by the open gate of a last circuit tripped on for pulsing all the on-tripped circuits to trip them to off state concurrently.

6. A start-stop commutator comprising a plurality of switchable stages having alternative on and oil states, means for operating the stages sequentially to on state during a forward or reverse cycle, direction selecting means for selecting either a ..forward or reverse cycle to be performed, a start-stop control element coacting with the direction selecting means to start either a forward or reverse cycle, and means controlled by the last stage turned on during either a forward or reverse cycle for opera'ting through the direction control means and said element to concurrently turn off all the stages so as to terminate either the forward or reverse cycle.

'7. A start-stop commutator comprising a series of switchable stages having alternative on and off states, means so coupling the stages that some of them may be turned on sequentially in one direction along the series and others may be turned on sequentially in a reverse direction along the series during the same start-stop cycle, means including said coupling means for bringing about the on-turning of the stages, some Of them sequentially in one direction and others of them sequentially in the reverse direction according to their coupling, and control means coupled to all of the stages and controlled by the turning on of a selected one of the stages for concurrently turning oii all the stages to terminate the cycle.

8. An electrical system comprising a plurality of electronic trigger devices, each having alternative on and 01f states between which it may be tripped by the application thereto of tripping voltage pulses, pulsing means for applying tripping pulses to said devices, means so coupling the devices that each upon being tripped on controls the application of a tripping pulse to a next device to be tripped on, whereby a sequence of on states may be produced in a succession of the devices, starting means to start the sequence by controlling the application of a tripping pulse to a first device to trip it on, means selectively coupling one or another of the devices to the starting means to serve as the first device, and means coupled to all of the stages and controlled by a last stage upon its being tripped on for applying pulses to the stages to trip oii concurrently the sequentially tripped-on stages, and selective coupling between the last mentioned means and one or another of the stages, so as to select the last stage to be tripped ARTHUR H. DICKINSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Mumma June 1, 1-948 

